Sony has invested in repurposing its last disc factory, located in Thalgau, Austria, to produce optical microlenses. The factory, which currently produces 600,000 discs daily, half of which are for PlayStation, will see a significant reduction in disc production by 2028.
The company plans to retrain its 300 employees to work on microlenses, which have various applications, including in headsets and automotive systems.
Sony's decision to transition away from disc manufacturing is not sudden, as the company has been winding down its disc production for decades. With this move, Sony is shifting its focus towards emerging technologies, including optical microlenses, which may be used in projects such as car turn signals and other applications.
